It is important that party leaders attend the national convention.

It is important that party leaders attend the national convention. It sends the right message to the party base that the leaders care about the party's welfare and that they be the face of the party, representative of their party and what the party stands for, because that is what voters look at.

Yes, party leaders set the tone for the party.

Yes, it is important that party leaders attend their national conventions, because party leaders set the tone for the party and encourage the party to go in the right direction. It is also important that party members attend the convention in order to have a chance to listen to delegates, and make sure that their leadership goes in a direction that is supported by the party.